If you check back on this blog in January, you'll quickly learn that I am a mega fan of ABC's "Lost." The story of a curiously linked group of strangers who survive a plane crash and are marooned on spooky Dharma Island is - in my humble opinion - the most well written show on television of our time, perhaps the best ever.

ABCABC's "Lost" is back Jan. 21.

I admit the series has had its creative hiccups (the introduction and quick demise of Nikki and Paulo; the first few episodes of Season 3) but they have been few. From character development to acting to story to the music that's specifically scored for each episode, every hour of narrative is meticulously constructed by the writers and showrunners Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse. "Lost" is an intelligent television drama and I believe this is the standard to which we should hold all of our TV entertainers. (I'm talking to you, "Smallville" [read my latest "Smallville Scorecard" here] and "Heroes.")

"Lost" moves back to Wednesdays and will make its Season 5 premiere on Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. The premiere will be a three hour event with a one-hour recap episode and a two-hour premiere. It's also been reported that the series will likely settle into the 9 p.m. time slot on Wednesdays, which is good news for us fans who like "Lost" a little extra dark. There are things you can get away with at 9 p.m. that you can't at 7 or 8 p.m.

UPDATE: The trades report ABC might shake up their programming on Wednesdays and schedule "Pushing Daisies" (one of the best series on TV today) at 7 p.m., "Lost" at 8 p.m. and "Life on Mars" (I couldn't get into this new series) at 9 p.m.